Who we’re looking for

From personal experience of anxiety, depression and OCD, starting when I was at university, I learnt how critical it is to have a supportive network of friends and family, secure personal circumstances, and access to good treatment.

After finishing my studies – in Politics and Philosophy, followed by a master’s in Globalisation and Development – I got a job as a researcher for an MP who chaired a cross-party group of MPs and Peers sharing a common interest in mental health.

The combination of these experiences inspired me to pursue a career in mental health. I went on to work in policy and campaigns at the charity Mind, managing a team focused on the social side of mental health – including issues around benefits, debt and employment.

Although I really enjoyed this work, I decided to join Think Ahead because I wanted to directly support people with mental health problems, see the impact my work has on their daily lives, and promote a social model of mental health in frontline services.

Through my work in policy I had seen how important social factors are in people developing, and recovering from, mental health problems. They’re often at the forefront of people’s minds, and when addressed they can significantly improve their mental health.

This is why becoming a mental health social worker with Think Ahead seemed like the perfect fit for me – it’s a movement I’m really excited to be a part of!

Tom – University of Sheffield and SOAS graduate and 2018 Think Ahead participant

In my final year at university, I started actively looking for a career that would enable me to help other people. I’ve never been motivated by making money – I just want to make a difference to people’s lives.

I hadn’t considered mental health, or social work, until I completed a social work module during my study abroad year and became really inspired by the work that social workers do.

The training on the Think Ahead programme is intensive, but you learn so much and it enables you to start working directly with people with mental health problems after just a few months.

At the start, I had some bad days when I felt I wasn’t getting through to people or making a difference, but I’ve also had lots of good days when I’ve empowered people to change their lives for the better.

Being on the programme has taught me the need to have patience as a mental health social worker; things don’t happen quickly… change takes time. Knowing that you can have a major impact on a person’s life can provide great job satisfaction. The programme is challenging, but I have grown so much as a person and found a new confidence.

I would recommend Think Ahead to others. It’s a fast-paced programme where you learn a lot on the job, and you need to be able to juggle this alongside your academic study. However, it is incredibly rewarding too. I definitely see myself working in mental health for a long time; this issue is so important for our society. My advice is, if you want to help people with mental health problems, and you enjoy a challenge – then go for it!

Amber – University of Hertfordshire graduate and 2017 Think Ahead participant

After studying Ancient History at university, I worked in the City as a head hunter for banks but I didn’t find this fulfilling. My second job was working with young people with learning difficulties, which I really enjoyed.

While I was there, I met a social worker who I found really inspiring. That was when I decided to go back into education to study Psychology. When I graduated, I applied for the Think Ahead programme because it offered the perfect opportunity to study for an MA while also being paid to work in mental health social work.

Being on the programme has given me the opportunity to work with people who have a wide range of mental health problems. The Think Ahead programme has given me a deeper understanding of the impact that mental health can have on both the individual and the people who care for them. I’ve also gained insight into the impact of housing, benefits, poverty and deprivation on people’s mental health, and the plight of some people in London.

What makes this programme stand out is that you are training with like-minded people who all want to achieve the same goals.

We are all driven by the desire to work in this sector and, if possible, help improve existing services for the benefit of our clients, utilising fresh ideas and new ways of working. Overall, we hope to have a lasting impact.

It is exciting to think that the work we are doing isn’t just confined to our team or even our region; it is happening all over England.

Jan – University of Edinburgh graduate and 2017 Think Ahead participant

I was drawn to the Think Ahead programme following my degree in Psychology but also because of my own experience of mental health problems. I had first-hand experience of the important role professionals played in my own recovery from severe depression and the continued management of my bipolar disorder.

What I’ve enjoyed most on the programme is being able to build relationships with the people I work with, offering practical and emotional support. I get a lot of satisfaction from my work and seeing people’s situations improve. I can’t make a person change, they must want to do this themselves, but it does feel good to be part of that change; it’s what motivates me in this job.

I think mental health social work is really important because it offers a more holistic approach to people’s mental health problems. When I work with someone I can see the whole picture, rather than being focussed on just the medical or psychiatric aspects of their recovery. A person’s mental health is affected by the relationships in their life, and their socio-economic situation. My role is to try and address these types of issues.

I would definitely recommend the Think Ahead programme to people who want to get into the mental health sector. I’ve been given great support on the job, in my studies and from the other people on the programme who are really inspiring.

Matthew – University of Kent graduate and 2017 Think Ahead participant

My interest in mental health was sparked early on: when I was a teenager I received support from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for an eating disorder. I was very well supported, but I know that’s not the case for everyone.

I went on to become a CAMHS peer support worker and the official carer for my best friend who was experiencing mental health problems at university. I have seen first-hand how debilitating mental illness can be, but also that it’s possible to manage it and lead a fulfilling life if you’re properly supported.

Before coming across Think Ahead, I studied Theology at university and considered working in international development. I was looking for a career that would enable me to help people – something a lot of graduates want! Think Ahead takes this vague idea of wanting to support people and channels it into something remarkable that allows you to make a real difference to people with mental health problems.

What I immediately loved about the Think Ahead programme is that the work you do is very personal – you often visit people in their homes and you’re directly involved in their lives. I was surprised at the level of responsibility you get from day one. It’s daunting at first, especially when you realise that the decisions you make have a real impact on someone’s life. It’s been a steep learning curve, but the programme provides a lot of support.

Its academic structure gives you the robust framework you need to reflect on your practice, and sets aside dedicated time to invest in your own learning.

The spirit of community among Think Ahead participants has also been amazing. From the very beginning you’re in a group of like-minded people who give each other advice and make up a pool of knowledge you can tap into throughout the programme. Being a mental health social worker can be emotionally and intellectually demanding, so it’s great to have that kind of support system.

I really enjoy mental health social work because it’s a profession that requires heart as well as brains. I feel that the programme has such a deep impact on who you are as a person. It challenges how you think about the world and how you act in relation to it.

Rebecca, University of Cambridge graduate and 2017 Think Ahead participant

I have always been interested in mental health. While I was studying for my degree, I volunteered for a student helpline, and I have also done placements at psychological services in the UK and Hong Kong.

I learnt that culture plays a significant role in a person’s response to mental health problems. In Asian countries, many people don’t speak openly about their mental health because they are afraid of the stigma and discrimination from those around them. However, conducting research to evaluate psychosis treatments in the UK made me realise that stigma is still a big problem in this country as well.

When someone recommended the Think Ahead programme to me, it stood out because of its clear focus on mental health. The Think Ahead attributes, such as leadership and motivation, also really appealed to me.

I had considered other frontline roles in mental health but many services can only provide limited support, and I wanted to be able to support people more holistically.

A social worker’s role addresses many of the issues that affect a person’s wellbeing – such as their work, their family structure and their social life. That’s what’s great about social work: you see the whole person. You treat them as an individual and let them be heard.

Valeria – King’s College London graduate and 2018 Think Ahead participant